2003 Silverado Vineyards Late Harvest Semillon
The Late Harvest Semillon from Silverado Vineyards is truly an indulgence! It is thick and rich and sweet with flavors of apricot and honeycomb. Botrytis was allowed to develop naturally on these...
View Article2004 Espirit de Henri
This is a wonderful, unique Muscat wine from my friends at Cave du Verger des Papes in Chateauneuf du Pape.It has a sweet, refreshing taste that is elegant and fresh with the flavors of mango and...
View Article2004 Vielle Julienne
This impressive wine from winemaker Jean Paul Daumen is from 100 year old Grenache grapes that grow in Chateauneuf du Pape. It is full-bodied with flavors of cassis, cherries and raspberries. The...
View Article2005 El Molino Napa Valley Chardonnay
Once again, I discovered this wine through the folks at Bacchus and Venus wine shop in Sausalito. I don’t drink a lot of chardonnay, but I really like this one. It has notes of citrus and tropical...
View Article2004 Rosenblum Rock Pile Road Zinfandel
My husband and I first tried Rosenblum’s Rockpile Road a few years ago. We immediately loved its rich taste. It had hints of vanilla, cherry and black pepper with a bit of spiciness. This wine is...
View Article2004 Duckhorn Paraduxx
This wine is one of my favorites. It is a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet and Merlot. It has flavors of ripe fruit, vanilla and spices with a long finish. It sells for about $45 per bottle at Bacchus...
View Article2002 Eric Ross Old Vine Zinfandel Port
I am a big fan of dessert wines, and I love this port-style wine. This was another recommendation from my friend, Marcy, at Bacchus and Venus wine shop. It sells for $32 for a 375ml bottle. This...
View Article2004 Saint Prefert Reserve Auguste Favier
This luscious Chateauneuf du Pape wine is made from about 80% old vine Grenache grapes, blended with Cinsault and Syrah. The winemaker, Isabel Ferrando, believes in organic viticulture and...
View ArticleDominique Bouchet
One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is Restaurant Dominique Bouchet, which also happens to be the name of the chef/owner. On a visit to Paris last summer, I met my friend Carol there for dinner....
View ArticlePierre Gagnaire
One of my favorite special-occasion restaurants in Paris is Pierre Gagnaire. This is also the name of the chef/owner. This restaurant specializes in small dishes. Not small courses, but small dishes of...
View ArticleHeirloom Tomato, White Corn and Basil Salad
Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes (assorted sizes and colors) 2-3 ears white corn kernels (cut off the cob) A handful of fresh basil leaves 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 Tablespoon...
View ArticleProvencal Tomato Soup
Ingredients 6-8 lbs. ripe tomatoes ½ cup olive oil Sea salt Pepper 2 teaspoons sugar 1 head garlic 1 ½ cup crème fraiche You will also need: Large roasting pan Food processor Tasting spoons Large soup...
View ArticleFresh Tomato Tart with Roasted Red Peppers
Ingredients 3 eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 tomatoes, cut into ½” thick slices and de-seeded (or use tomato confit) 2 roasted red peppers, peeled and...
View ArticleArugula and Fresh Tomato Side Salad
This is a simple salad but you will find yourself serving it often – with chicken, fish, sandwiches or maybe just by itself. Add some crostini with goat cheese for a nice treat! Ingredients 2-3 cups...
View ArticleRoasted Sweet Tomatoes with Basil
This dish works best with sweet, fresh tomatoes, such as sungolds or sweet 100’s. Ingredients 2 cups tiny sweet tomatoes, stems removed 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish) 2 T...
View ArticleChilled Heirloom Tomato Soup
This soup gets its freshness from a hint of lemon verbena. Be sure to choose the sweetest tomatoes you can find. I like to serve this soup over a piece of poached salmon. Ingredients 1/2 cup olive...
View ArticleNew Year’s Day Good Luck Soup
I grew up in Southeast Georgia, and our tradition for good luck for the New Year was eating Hoppin’ John. To us, Hoppin’ John was a big pot of dried black-eyed peas cooked with hog jowl or ham shank....
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Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
This is one of my favorite ways to bring out even more flavor in vine-ripened tomatoes. You can either peel the tomatoes first, or leave the skin on – it depends on how you would like to use them. We...
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Sungold Tomato and Bread Salad
This dish features some of nature’s best produce – super sweet Sungold tomatoes, sweet red onions and arugula. These fresh ingredients, combined with your favorite toasted bread cubes and a sweet-tart...
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Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This dish is great for nights when the weather is slightly cold or dreary. The leftovers can be used in sandwiches the next day – guaranteed to bring a smile! You can serve these meatballs as an entree...
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